Minworks

Dear All,

If you do not want to be overexposed to my mini-photos now is the time to turn back!

This will be my last post and I know one should edit, edit, edit but here are the photos Bruce took just before he headed to Australia.

The Entry:
A view from the dining room. Mirror gilded and aged by Janine - actually a Christmas decoration, orchid by Elizabeth of studioeminiatures. displayed in a silver-coloured tea caddy. Entry table by Bespaq. I purchased all of the French-styled furniture unfinished.

Below:

A small addition of a beautiful umbrella made by Fatima. I hope that you will soon see her blog Beauxminis as I know she is working on it. I have to warn you that she is a perfectionist and it is reflected in her work!

If you wish you may see a more detailed summary of the entry in an earlier posts: December 2011 Decorated for Xmas and January 2012 Entry.

Above: Photo taken from the Grand Salon through the dining room into the entry. You will see the broken bowl that in this scenario the curious cat has knocked to the floor. In actuality two soccer playing sons landed their soccer ball on it and broke it. Will I ever forgive them....... I'm trying! Of course that was almost twenty years ago!

Bathroom:

Now we should run up to the bathroom for a quick view. Yes all is in order.

However after consultation with the Miniteers there may be some changes on the horizon. Perhaps the molding will be bulked up a little and a transom window appear above the door. Hopefully that will enable us to look through to the large lantern light in the entry.

Assorted bead bottles above the sink. Cupboard filled with towels, soaps and more labelled bead bottles, Jean d Arc figurine and gilded bird cage on top. Unopened drawer filled with toilet rolls.

Above the bath, jewellery findings and gel caps form candlesticks, print of a young girl, roses from the garden and a vintage travel clock. In the bath, shampoo and bath oil bead bottles, shell with soap, wash cloth and sponge. On the wall next to the bath - more lovely soap in a pedestal bowl, fluffy towels, bath salts etc etc.

Time is flying, quick, better head back downstairs to see if the silver should be polished or left to develop a time-worn patina. Mmm, my vote is?

China Cabinets Dining Room:

Bespaq painted with suede acrylic paint and gold highlights. I removed the glass shelves and glued French prints onto the backs of the cabinet. I then replaced the shelves but attached the displays to an acrylic sheet the same size as the glass. This enables me to change the display if I should choose. I think I had more cranberry glass and less silver in the display when I posted in the planning stages February 2010 Dining Room Display Cases.

The Grand Salon:

Oh yes, still in limbo but I will apply myself to this room when I return. Note the nice light from a French door that leads into the entry.

I did make a little breakthrough when I found a table mat that reminded me of sisal. It is a flat weave in light gold. I layered a print of a rug onto suede paper that looks like one of the soft coloured over dyed rugs one sees about these days.

Elizabeth just gave me a fire screen, made particularly for this room, that matches the blue willow wear jars on the bombe chest at the far end of the room. ( You wonder, what do I give Elizabeth - well not nearly enough but I did take several bags of seaweed and sea soil for her garden earlier in the week. As an aside I encouraged her to post her amazing real-life garden. I hope she will.)

Back to mini: I am considering doing a full wall of books and putting a campaign type table-desk under the window to create a library. This room certainly needs a reason for the imagined occupants to come and linger. Below - great spot to read.

The dining room:

What no chairs - no, far too many people will be meandering about the table and heading out into the garden to eat in the soft summer night.

The ice tub filled with pear cider and white wine replaces the broken bowl in the entry. Breads by studioeminiatures.

Thank you so much for all your encouragement and comments. I really appreciate that you actually follow my site. It amazes me.

I have had such a lot of pleasure from working on this little house. Still unfinished, but what house is ever quite "done".

To those in the Northern Hemisphere, have a wonderful spring and summer and to those in the Southern climes I hope you have a mild winter season.

I will try and visit your blogs from time to time while we travel but I will really enjoy catching up when I return.

All the best. Keep safe and happy.

regards Janine

Going Travelling:

Soon I will pack my bags and head to Australia for almost five months. Bruce departed two weeks ago I will follow next week.

Unfortunately we will miss most of our British Columbia summer. We will land cruise in Queensland, Northern Territory and Western Australia during the Australian winter which is the perfect time to be in those areas.

Kitchen Again!

Well, what can I say! I thought I was finished and then I decided to cut a door into the courtyard. Then I decided I should have an island in the kitchen area! Gosh, this is sounding so much like my real size house. The only difference is that I have to warn Bruce not to do anything on the real house until I am sure it is what I have finally decided. Otherwise, out with the wrecking bar or whatever and a wall is down or moved while I went out for tea with friends!

Below: Most of the things on the table are gifts from Studioeminiatures Do go and visit as Elizabeth posts wonderful tutorials as well as showing her work in progress on her miniature houses. Elizabeth also gave me the violets in the clay pot and the sweet pie plates, the painted rooster and cook books.

The top of the island has been treated to create a zinc top look. The baskets contain potatoes, eggs and pink dried hydrangeas.

Below is the lovely saucepan support that hangs above the island - a gift from Fatima. Fatima found one each for Elizabeth and for me. It is from the Hallmark Christmas collection 2002. It was perfect in scale except for the hooks that held the pans. I removed the original hooks and made smaller ones and changed a couple of the items.

The ceiling is high with wooden beams so I was not able to attach it directly to the ceiling nor to a beam as none were correctly placed.
Bruce attached a brass rod to the hanger with a plate soldered to the top to connect it the ceiling. Now it is at the correct height and somewhat controlled in its movement. A chain attachment would be constantly on the swing! That would remind me of being at sea!